Screw operated vise having a toothed nut and displaceable ratchet for quick opening



Oct. 25, 1949; I NELSON 2,485,641 SCREW OPERATED VISE HAVING A TOOTHEDNUT AND DISPLACEABLE RATCHET FOR QUICK-OPENING Filed April 28, 1945 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 25, 1949. R. M. NELSON 2,435,641

SCREW OPERATED VISE HAVING A TOOTHED NUT AND DISPLACEABLE RAICHET FORQUICK-OPENING Filed April 28, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I R. M. NELSON,485,641 SCREW OPERATED VISE HAVING A TOOTHED NUT AND v DISPLACEABLERATCHET FOR QUICK-OPENING Filed April 28, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 25,1949.-

Patented Oct. 25, 1949 UNITED STATE FATENT OFFICE Ray M. Nelson, RockIsland, 111., assignor to Birtman Electric Company Application April 28,1945, Serial N0. 590,762

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a quick-opening vise in which the movable jawstructure of the vise can readily be moved to desired position relativeto the fixed jaw structure, and relates also to an automatic lock forlooking a Vise in any desired position on its base.

The ordinary machinists vise has two clamping jaws, one fixed inposition and the other movable relative thereto. These Vises include athreaded bolt extending from the movable jaw to the fixed jaw, employedfor tightening and loosening the jaws. In such a vise it is necessary tounscrew the bolt when it is desired to open the vise for a larger pieceof work. The opening of the j ws by unscrewing the bolt is slow andlaborious.

I have invented a quick acting vise wherein the movable jaw structuremay be readily disengaged from the fixed jaw structure and moved to anydesired position without requiring the unscrewing of the bolt necessaryin opening the old vises. In my new vise the movable jaw may bepositioned wherever desired relative to the fixed jaw structure, thework placed within the jaws, and the jaws then tightened by turning thebolt, as in the old vises. I have also invented an automatically lockingbase for the vise in which the body portion of the vise is locked to thebase in any desired position relative thereto by merely tightening thebolt to clamp the jaws together. The vise which is the subject of thisinvention is of simple and sturdy construction, and permits the workerto do his work more emciently than he was able to with the prior vises.

The invention will be described as related to a typical embodiment ofthe same set out in the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings, Fig. 1is a side elevation of a vise embodying this invention; Fig. 2 is a planview of the vise of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a Vertical section taken alongline 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 ofFig. 3; Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along line 55 of Fig. 3; Fig.6 is a horizontal section taken along line ii6 of Fig. 3; Fig. '7 is avertical section similar to Fig. 3 but showing the vise in openposition; and Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken along line 8-8 ofFig. 7.

The vise shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a base H], a fixedjaw structure H, rotatably mounted by means of screw I2 on the base, anda movable jaw structure [3. The movable jaw structure has a horizontalelongated section l4 inserted in an opening in the fixed jaw structure.This elongated section It carries a threaded screw [5 in its interior,which engages an elongated nut l6, also within the horizontal section M.The bolt and nut are both capable of movement with the movable jawstructure. The bolt i5 is rotatably held within the elongated section [4by means of a mounted plate H at the rear of the vise and a collar l8engaging a downward projecting portion I 9 that is located at the frontof the vise. This collar is held in place by means of a headless screwl9 bearing upon the bolt l5. At the front of the bolt, and pressingagainst the downward projecting portion w there is located the usualenlarged head 2| that serves as a mounting for a lever 22. This lever isused for turning the threaded bolt [5.

The elongated nut I6 is provided on its bottom with serrations 23forming a rack, with each serration having a rear portion substantiallyvertical, and a front portion sloping downward. Mounted beneath theelongated nut and within the bottom of the fixed jaw structure is aratchet 24 having serrations on its top surface normally engaging thoseof the elongated nut 16. The serrations on the ratchet 24 are similar inshape to those on the nut l6, but are positioned opposite thereto sothat the ratchet 24 and nut 16 are normally in closely engagedrelationship. In order to provide this close engagement the ratchet isnormally urged upward by means of the spring 25. The ratchet 24 andsprin 25 are both mounted in a depression 26 in the base of the fixedjaw structure.

In order to provide for disengaging the ratchet 24 from the elongatednut [6 there is provided a horizontal opening 2! near the top of theratchet. Through this hole there extends a horizontal bar 28 arrangedbeneath the nut I6 and substantially parallel thereto. The bar hasraised portions 29 at each end. At each end of the elongated nut Hithere are positioned downwardly extending studs 30 adjacent the raisedportions 29 on the bar 28. These studs have sloping surfacescorresponding to sloping surfaces on the raised portions 29. As shown inFig. 3, the studs are located in front of the raised portions so thatwhen the bolt I5 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, which isopposite that used for clamping the jaws, the nut will move backward sothat the studs push the horizontal bar. 23 down. This serves todisengage the ratchet 24 from the nut I5. In order to guide thehorizontal bar 28 in its movement, there is provided near the rear ofthe elongated section M a horizontal pin 35, extending at right anglesto the bar through a vertical slot 32. Grooves 33 and 34 are provided inthe vise beneath the bar 28 to permit movement of the bar.

The quick opening vise operates as follows: When the vise is in clampingposition as shown in Fig. 3, the bolt I5 is turned in a counterclockwisedirection looking from the front of the vise, in order to release themovable jaw structure I3. The turning of the vise in thecounterclockwise direction for about one-half a turn causes theelongated nut IE to move backward along the bolt. The backward movementpushes the horizontal bar 28 down when the studs 30%10 press against theraised portion 29 of the bar.. This also pushes the ratchet. 24downagainst the action of ratchet spring 25', and disengages theserrated portion of the ratchet from the serrated portion of the nut Hi.In this positionthe movable jaw structure can be moved to anydesiredposition relative to the fixed jaw structure. The work can then beplaced between the jaws 35 and the vise tightened by turning the.

bolt 15 in clockwise direction. The clockwise turning serves to pullthenut forward and permitthe bar 28 and ratchet 24- to move back to itsnormal position under the. influence of ratchet spring 25. In thisposition the serrations on the ratchet engagethe serrations 0n the nut.the particular shape of the serrations, further tightening ofthe bolt l6servesto draw the jaws 35 tightly together, thereby binding the work between. the hardened steel surfaces 36 of the jaws 3.5.

The vise illustrated in the. accompanying drawings also includes anautomatic lock for. locking the rotatable portion of. the. vise toitsbase. This locking mechanism works automatically as the vise jawsaretightened. around Work heldtherebetween.

In the base It. of the vise there is provided a.

that portion of the fixed jaw structure which holds the ratchet 2'4.Thisportion 42 has a top surrounding the elongated nut" [5, whichis'slidably mounted therein; The ratchet holding portion 62 is looselymounted within the bottom-of the fixed jaw structure so that it isfreeto move horizontally from front to back of the vise. In order to permitthis movement to be unrestrained, the bolt 38 extending from the basetothe rotatable portion of the vise extends througha hole 93 in thewedge shaped portion; and this hole is considerably larger than thebolt. The

ratchet holding portion $2 is normally held to-- ward the rear of thevise by means ofa spring 44.

.Che automatic locking device operates as follows: When the vise is inopen position as shown in Fig. '7 the spring M pushes the ratchetholding portion 62 toward the rear ofthe-Vise. This permits the twowedge shaped portions 39, 4+ to fit loosely against each other and thuspermiteasy rotation of the vise. As soon as workis placed between thejaws 35, and the bolt l5 tightened in engagement with ratchet M, thepull on the ratchet forces the holding portion- 42-'"toward the frontof" the vi'se, and locks the two wedges 39, 4! together. wedges locksthevise firmly on itsbase;

Having described my invention' in considerable Due to- This locking of'the 4 detail as related to a typical embodiment of the same, it is myintention that the invention be not limited by any of these detailsunless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within thespirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Attention is directed to my co-pending application, Serial No. 591,548,.filed May 2, 1945, now Patent No; 2,471,444, dated May 31, 1949, whereinother features of the vise are claimed.

I claim:

1. A. quick opening vise comprising a movable clamping: jaw; structure,a fixed clamping jaw structure;. a: threaded bolt mounted in the movablejaw structure, a nut having at least one side serrated engaging saidbolt, said bolt and nut being" capable of movement with the movablejawstructure, a-ratchet mounted in the fixed jaw structure engaging saidserrations for holding the nut fixed preparatory to clamping the jawstogether, a displaceable member mounted in the movable;jawzstructure.andslidably engaging said ratchet. and stud mounted on said: nutfor'dis-' ablejaw structure; anut having at least one side serrated.engaging said bolt, said bolt. and nut being capable of movement withthe movable jaw structure, a. ratchet mounted in the fixed. jaw'structure engaging said: serrations for holding.

the nut fixed. preparatory to clamping the jaws the nut preparatory tomoving the movable jaw structure.- relative to the fixed jaw structure;

3; A. quick opening; vise; comprising a movable clamping. jaw:structure, at fixed clamping: jaw structure, a threaded. bolt. mountedin; the: mov able jawv structure, a. nut having at least onesideserrated engaging said; bolt, said: bolt and nut being capable ofmovement with the movablejaw structure; a. ratchet. mounted in' thefixed jaw structure engaging said serrations for holding the. nut fixed;preparatoryto clampingthejaws together, a spring urging. the ratchetinto nut engaging position, a; rod member mounted in the movablejawstructure'and slidably engaging; said. ratchet, and; means mounted. on'the nut for'ens gaging said: rodmember. to displace. the rod memberbodily away from the nut,v thereby disengaging the: ratchet from the nutpreparatory to moving: the movable j aw' structurerelative tov the fixedjaw structure, said means being operable when. the bolt. is: moved in.a. direction opposite that employed. in clamping the jaws;

4. A quickopening vise comprising. a. movable clamping. jaws structure,a: fixed clamping ja-w structure, a. threaded bolt: mounted in: the;movable jaw structure; a nut havingat least one side serrated engaging.said bolt, said! bolt and nut: being capable ofmovement with themovable. jaw

structure, a ratchet mounted in the hired jawstructure engaging saidserrations for holding. the nut fixed preparatory to clamping the jawstogether, a spring urging the ratchet into nut engaging position, arodmember mountedthe movable 'j aw-st'ructureand slidably engaging saidratchet, said rod member being mounted substantially parallel to saidnut and having at least one beveled raised portion extending toward thenut, and at least one stud extending from the nut in contact with thebar member adjacent the front of the raised portion, so that movement ofthe bolt in a direction opposite that employed in clamping the jawscauses the stud to move onto the raised portion of the rod member anddisplace it, thereby disengaging the ratchet from the nut preparatory tomoving the movable jaw structure relative to the fixed jaw structure.

5. A quick opening vise comprising a movable clamping jaw structure, afixed clamping jaw structure, a threaded bolt mounted in the movable jawstructure and capable of being rotated about its major axis, anelongated nut having a flat side with serrations therein and engagingsaid bolt but held against .rotation therewith, said bolt and nut beingcapable of movement with the movable jaw structure, a ratchet mounted inthe fixed jaw structure having serrations normally engaging those of theelongated nut for holding the nut fixed preparatory to clamping the jawstogether, a spring urging the ratchet into nut engaging position, a rodmember mounted in the movable jaw structure substantially parallel tothe elongated nut and slidably engaging said ratchet, a beveled raisedportion on said rod member extending toward the nut, a stud extendingfrom the nut and in contact with the rod member adjacent the front ofsaid raised portion, so that movement of the bolt in a directionopposite that employed in clamping the jaws causes the stud to move ontothe raised portion of the rod member and displace it away from the nut,thereby disengaging the ratchet from the nut preparatory to moving themovable jaw structure relative to the fixed jaw structure.

6. A quick opening vise comprising a movable clamping jaw structure, afixed clamping jaw structure, a threaded bolt mounted in the movable jawstructure and capable of being rotated about its major axis, anelongated nut having a fiat side with serrations therein and engagingsaid bolt but held against rotation therewith, said bolt and nut beingcapable of movement with the movable jaw structure and said serrationsextending along the nut a distance greater than the distance of movementof the movable jaw structure, a ratchet mounted in the fixed jawstructure having serrations along one side normally engaging a portionof those of the elongated nut for holding the nut fixed preparatory toclamping the jaws together, said ratchet serrations extending a shorterdistance than those of the nut and the difierence between the twodistances being substantially equal to the distance of permissiblemovement of the movable jaw structure, a spring urging the ratchet intonut engaging position, a rod member mounted in the movable jaw structuresubstantially parallel to the elongated nut and slidably engaging saidratchet, a beveled raised portion on each end of said rod memberextending toward the nut with each raised portion being beyond the endof the nut serrations, a pair of studs extending from the rod memberwith one stud being in contact with the rod member adjacent the front ofone raised portion and the other stud adjacent the front of the otherraised portion, so that movement of the bolt in a direction oppositethat employed in clamping the jaws causes the studs to move onto theraised portions and displace the rod member away from the nut, therebydisengaging the ratchet from the nut preparatory to moving the movablejaw structure relative to the fixed jaw structure.

RAY M. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 279,260 Lewis June 12, 1883286,345 Thorp Oct. 9, 1883 340,930 Wyman Apr. 27, 1886 380,734 TobeyApr. 10, 1888 496,498 Walker May 2, 1893 587,749 McKenzie Aug. 10, 1897710,482 Long Oct. 7, 1902 791,741 Williamson June 6, 1905 962,983Schlosser June 28, 1910 969,401 Peterson Sept. 6, 1910 1,411,578 MungerApr. 4, 1922 1,749,491 Kokay Mar. 4, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 10,056 Great Britain May 24, 1894 2,630 Great Britain Feb. 3, 190475,797 Switzerland Feb. 1. 1918

